Molding-machine sprue mechanism.



Patented Sept. 5, |899. H. C. COOPER.

MDLDING MACHINE SPBUE MECHANISM.

(Application filed June 7, 1899.)

4 Sheets- Sheet I.

{No Model.)

v N'roR y (Qb.

ATTORNY.

WITNESSES.

w: nomas mins ou. vuovuurna.. wmuawu. n4 c.

No. 632,245. Patented Sept. 5, |899.

u. c. nouns. HOLDING MACHINE SPHUE MECHANISM.

(Application filed June 7, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

1H: nomme sirens co, moto-urne., wmsmmzmuA n. z;

n. 9 5, 4l. p nu s d e t n e t a DI D". E P o 0 nb H. 5. 4 2y 2 3 6 0. N

HOLDING MACHINE SPRUE MECHANISM.

(Application led June 7, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES.

w: ohms Prrsns co. Pnofouwo.. wAsHmuYou. n. c;

No. 632,245. Patented Sept. 5, |899. H. C. COOPER.

HOLDING MACHINE SPRUE MECHANISM.

(Application led June '7, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet 4L TN: normas Pains ce, Puomumo. wAswmoYon4 o. c.

Nrrnn STATES ATENT y i Prion.

iVlOLDlNG-IVIACHINE SPRUE MECHANISIVI.

sPEcIrrcA'rIoN forming peut ef Lettere Patent Ne. 632,245, detect september 5, 1899.

Original application filed December 19, 1898, Serial No. 699,720. Divided and this application filed June l7, 1899. Serial No.

7195746. (No model.)

To all wiz/0771, it may 'con/cern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY C. COOPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Molding-Machine Sprue Mechanism; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object the production of mechanism for forming the sprue-oriiices in the cope portion of a sand mold and also the production of mechanism to produce the pressure in the runner-box of the cope portion of a sand mold.

The apparatus shown in this application is applicable more particularly to the moldingmachine forming the subject-matter of my concurrently-pending application filed December 19, 1898, Serial No. 699,720, of which this application is a division. In the said application is provided mechanism for carrying the pattern or patterns into the flask from below,while above the flask is located stationary pressure mechanism, the compression of the sand taking place between the patterns and said stationary pressure mechanism. My present invention relates particularly to this stationary pressure mechanism and to what I will term sprues for forming the spruelioles. Of course, technically speaking, the sprues are part of the casting, and the parts which form the sprue-holes in the mold are not sp1-ues; but commonly in foundry practice the pins employed to make the sprue-holes are called sprues, and I will so term them throughout my present application.

The invention consists in a combination of devices and appliances hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a verticalsection through the apparatus constituting my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the plunger on the line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the plunger with the sprues removed. Fig. 4. is a detail illusim ting the construction of the plunger-sprues.

5 and (i are details illustrating the plunger and sprue-elevating mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail of the end of the sprue, illustrating a variation. Fig. S is a plan View of one of the sprite-frames with parts broken away. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional View on the line 10 10 of Fig. 8. Fig. l1 is a section on line 11 11 of Fig. S. Figs. 12, 13, and 14 are vertical sections of the sprue, showing it in different positions. Fig. 15 is an elevation of the upper end of the sprue-casing. Fig. 16 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 17 is a detail view of the sprue-engaging mechanism. Fig. 1S is a side elevation illustrating the sprue-tripping mechanism.

In carrying out the invention, A represents a suitable casing supported in any suitable manner--as, for instance, by the standard A.

B represents what I will call the pressureplate.

As stated above, the mechanism described in this application is to be used in connection with pattern mechanism which moves upward and compresses the sand between it and the plate B. I will iirst describe the mechanism for obtaining a pressure in the runner-box of the cope portion of the flask and for forming the sprue-holes therein.

B represents a suitable opening in the pressure-plate, through which the plunger drops, this opening being located above the runnerboX of the flask. Extending up from the pressure-plate B' is a casing A2, and carried .by this casing is a plunger-casingA3. Vi-thin this casing is a plunger C, made hollow, as shown, and its upper end is provided with guides C', traveling in guideways A4 on the interior face of the casing A3. W'orking vertically within the plunger C is a fitting D, having three arms which extend through the slots C2 in the plunger to the outside of the same. Around these slots the face of the plunger is slotted, as at C3. Carried by each arm of the fitting D is a long tube D', each oneconstitutingasprue. Each ofthesesprues is hollow and is provided on its lower end with a diaphragm D2, having a restricted oriice D3. On the tting D is a piston D4, and in the lower end of the plunger is a dash-cup C, which thc piston enters, and thuscushons the crank-spool E2 is a pitman E20, the lower` the sprues when they fall, as hereinafter explained. Within the casing A3 and surrounding the pistonis a spring C5, adapted to cushion the descent of the plunger when it drops, as hereinafter described. Engaged to the lower end of the casing A3 is a ring A5, constituting a bearing-ring for the lower end of the plunger as it moves vertically, and constituting also a strippin g-plate,thro ugh which the sprues and plunger strip when they are withdrawn from the mold. Supported by the upper end of the casing A3 is a plate E, having a bearing E', in which is located what I will term a crank-spool. Extending through the spool E2 is a shaft E3, having on its end a beveled gear E4, which meshes with the beveled gear E5 on the vertical shaft E3. On the `end of the spool E2 is a disk E7. On the end of the shaft E3 are a crank-arm ES and two laterally-extending arms E9 E10. Pivoted to the crank-arm E8 is a pitman E11.

E12 is a fitting traveling on the guide-rods E13, and the lower end of the pitman E11 is pivoted to this fitting E12. Located in this tting is a vertical rod E14, capable of turning on its vertical axis, with a spring E15 for keeping it normally in the position desired. On the lower end of this rod is an arm or foot E11 and on the upper end another arm E17. On'the sprue-fitting D is a vertical stem D5,

Vhavin g its face notched, as at D5, in which the 'foot E1( engages.

On the face of the disk E7 and at a distance of ninety degrees from each other are two stops E13 E19, with which the arms E9 E10 respectively contact during the operation. Engaged to the crank-arm E60 of end of which is pivoted in the plate E21. This latter plate slides vertically in the plungercasing and is provided with guides E22, similar to those on the plunger. Pivoted in the plate E21 is a beveled catch E23, adapted to engage over the end E24 of the plunger. Ex-

Vtending through the casing A3, above the plate E21, is a lever F, said lever being engaged to a vertical rod F. This rod extends down to a point inside the casing, where it is provided with an arm F2. Pivoted to the arm is a rod F3, which extends over and is pivoted to a vertical arm-F4 on the shaiit F3. When the shaft F5 is partially revolved, it will revolve the vertical rod F and throw the arm or lever F against the arm E17 on the rod E14, and this will tilt the foot E111 out of the notches D5 in the stem of the sprue-tting and allow the sprue-iitting and its accompanying sprues to drop where they are cushioned by the dashpot C4,as previously explained. Extending also through the casing A3, adjacent to the catch E23, is a lever F3, adapted when tilted into the casin g to strike the catch E23 and release the plunger. This lever F3 is engaged to a vertical rod F7, on the lower end of which is an arm F3. Engaged to this arm by a slotted bearing F3 is a rod F111, which extends over and is pivoted to a vertical arm F11 on the shaft F5. Thus when the shaft F5 is revolved mold.

it first acts through the rod F3 to release the sprues, but because of the slotted bearing the plunger will not be released until the end of the slot is reached. The plunger is then released and drops down, being cushioned by the spring C5. When the sprues drop down, each one engages over a knob or projection M on the pattern M', which substantially fills the hollow end of the sprue, so that in addition to the dash-pot C4 the sprues are cushioned by the air contained in the space between the end of each sprue and the restricted orifice D3. The sprues will gradually settle down to their places on the pattern, the plunger will drop down into the runner-box, and as the pattern moves upward -to compress the sand the sprues and plunger will gradually be carried back.

In Fig. l0 at G, I have illustrated the ventpins; but as these pins have nothing to do with the claims of the present case I will merely mention them incidentally. The saine board, however, which carries the vent-pins is provided With what I will term auxiliary sprues, so that in case the plunger and its accompanying sprues, which I have just described, are `not used, but several independent molds are being formed in the same liask, the sprue-holes will be properly formed in the I will now describe these auxiliary sprues. y i

In the pressure-plate B is a series of orifices which when the auxiliary sprues are not used are filled by plugs B2. When the auxiliary sprues are used, the orifice in the pressure-plate through which the sprue passes is provided with a tapered nipple or bearing B3. In the frame H (which also constitutes the frame for holding the vent-pins) at the points where it is desired to locate the auxiliary sprue I provide orifices H and a vertical tube or casing H2, which is screwed into the plate H.

H4 is a tube constituting a sprue, and on its upper end is a ring H3 to form a guide for the sprue in its vertical movement through the tube H2. It also forms a shoulder, by means of which the sprue is held in its npper position. On the interior of the sprue H4 is a shoulder H5, and threaded into the cap H6 ot' the tube H2 is a fitting H7 with a IOO los

IIO

vertically-movable stem HS therethrough and a spring H9, one end bearing on the end H1U of the stem H3, While the other end bears on the adjustable fitting H7. J ou rnaled in the bearings or lugs H11 of the tube H2 is a rod H12, and engaged to this rod is a door H13, adapted to till an opening in the side of the tube H2 and having its interior face notched or provided with a series of beveled catches H14. The shoulder H3 on the upper end of the sprue engages on one of these catches H14 and the sprue is held up thereby, a spring H15 keeping the parts in engagement until intentionally released. Ad just-ably keyed to the rod H12 is an arm H15.

Journaled in the casing A, along the side IZQ revolve together.

thereof, is a shaft J, having an upwardly-.extending arm J', connected by the rod J2 with the arm J3 on the shaft F5. On the opposite side of the casing is another shaft J4, having an upwardly-extending arm J5, connected by the rod J 5 with an upwardlyextending arm J 7 on the shaft F12. The shafts F5 and F12 are each provided with a depending arm F15, (shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1,) and the two arms-are connected by a rod F14, so that the partial revolution of any one of the shafts J, J4, F5, orF12 will revolve the others. On the rods J2 J0 at desirable intervals or points Ilocate depending arms J0, and these arms striking the arms H10 revolve the rods H12, tilt the doors H13 out, and thus release the sprues, which drop down onto the pattern, the springs H9 starting each quickly in its descent.

From the above description it will be seen that the sprues can be located at any point desired, since the arms J', J3, J5, and J7 can be adjusted at any desirable points along their respective shafts, and the depending arms J8 can be located or adjusted to any point along their respective rods and their number increased or decreased, as desired. So also the orifices for the sprues through the sprueframe and pressure-plate can be made at any desired points. On the shaft F5 is an arm F20, (shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1,) and depending therefrom is a rod F21.

It will be seen from the above description that by a movement of the rod F12 the shafts J, F5, F12, and J4 will be moved and the auxiliary sprues, plunger-sprues, and the plunger will all be dropped automatically.

I will now describe the mechanism for returning the parts to their normal positions.

On each auxiliary sprue-frame are guides H17, adapted to travel in guideways on the inner face ofthe casingA and guide the spruef rame H vertically. This frame is suspended from pitmen H12, engaged to cranks H10 on the shaft H20, the parts being duplicates on each side of the plunger. So also the shafts H21 H20 are connected up in anysuitable manner by means of gears T T T2 T2, so that they will On the shaft H20 is a suitable gear H22, (shown in Fig. 1,) which meshes with another gear H22 on the shaft H24. On this same shaft H24is a beveled gear H25, which meshes with a beveled gear H2G on the vertical shaft E0. Now by revolving the shaft H20 fromany suitable source of power the frames H will be thrown to their lower position by cranks H19. At the same time the shaft E6 will be revolved, and this will revolve the shaft This will bring the arm E0 in contact with the shoulder E12 on the spool E2and will throw the pitman E20, and consequently the plate E21, down to its lower position. At the same time the revolution of the shaft E3 has carried the fitting E12 down to its lower position. Now as the pattern parts move upward the plunger and its accompanying sprues, orin case of the auxiliary sprues then the latter, will be carried up so long as thc parts continue to advance. By the time the mold has been formed the plunger and sp1-ues have been elevated high enough so that the respective engaging devices can engage them. In the case of the plunger, however, it is desired that it shall be arrested in its upward movement in order to properly compress the sand in the flask runner-box. This is accomplished by means of the plate E21, which when it is lowered forms an abutment against which the upwardly-moving plunger strikes and by which it is stopped. In order that the height at which the plunger is arrested may be regulated, I provide on the upper end of the plunger the adjustable ring E27, threaded onto the exterior of the plunger. We will n ow assume that the mold has been formed and we are ready to withdraw the parts. A revolution of the shaft I-I20in the opposite direction causes the cranks H10 to elevate the frames H, and this causes the sprues H4 to strip through the nipples B2. At the same time it revolves the shaft E5, and consequently the shaft E5, and lelevates the fitting E12, and this draws the sprue-fitting D upward, and this strips the plunger-sprues past the plunger and ring By the time the shaft E has made a quarter-turn and thus stripped the sprues the arm E10 comes in contact with the shoulder E10 and revolves the spool E2, and this draws the plunger upward, stripping it through the plate A5. I desire at this point to call attention to the lower end of the plunger and to the shape also of the under surface of the ring A5. The lower end of the body of the plunger is tapered, as at C10, and adjacent to the points where the plungersprues slide past the end of the plunger the latter is beveled or tapered, as at C11, the result being that when the mold is formed the sprue-orifice formed by the body of the plunger is tapered. VThe upper end of each sprueoriiice formed by the plunger-sprue is tapered, so that the molten metal will readily enter the sprue-holes, and at the same time a sufficient head of metal will be provided in the sprue-opening to insure the metal entering all the parts of the mold. The under surface of the ring A5 is made concave, as at A10, with a depending flange A11, so that when the mold is formed there will be the rounding surface of the upper end of the sprue-hole to facilitate the direction of the molten metal withont having any corners liable to break. If, however, the depending flange were not provided as the sand was forced up against the ring A5 during the operation of forming thc mold, the sand would be forced out laterally against the side of the runner-box.- This is objectionable. Consequently the -flange A11 is provided to obviate it.

I have heretofore called attention to the fact that the sprue was hollow and that the restricted orifice D2 allows the air to gradually escape from the lower end of the sprue, and thus allow the sprue to gradually settle onto the pattern. This orifice Di", as well as the IOO IIO

IZO

orifice H20 in the diaphragm H5, performs another function. They permit the air as the sprue is withdrawn from the pattern to move down onto the face of the pattern, and thus destroy any vacuum which might otherwise be present and break the mold as the sprues are withdrawn.

It will be seen from the above description that when the plunger is down it, together with the ring A5, constitutes a portion of the pressure mechanism, or rather the pressureplate, and that when the plunger is moved back upward until its upper end strikes the plate E21 a solid pressure-plate is formed for all parts of the iiask, including the runnerbox. It will be observed that the end of each sprue is tapered, as at K, so that when the mold is formed and the metal poured the sprue on the casting formed by the sprue-hole will be united to the casting by a very thin edge and can be easily knocked ott without carrying the metal of the casting with it. In Fig. 7 I have shown a slight variation in the shape of the end of the sprue. In this case one side is tapered, as at K', while the other side is straight, as at K2. The reason for this is as follows: I-Ieretofore in pouring the metal to form the castings the metal entering through the sprue-hole of the mold has been caused or permitted to strike the cores or otherpro jecting parts of the mold and soon wear or melt them away. Now by tapering oneside of the sprue-hole former, as'shown in Fig. 7, and leaving the other side straight, and by turning this tapered side to a point adjacent to the core or other projecting parts which it isdesired to have the molten metal void, an

` inclined end is formed in the sprue-hole, so

that when the metal is poured the inclined surface throws the metal away from the part which it is desired to protect.

What I claim isl. In a molding-machine a movable sprue and a cushion to receive the sprue at the end of its movement, substantially as described.

2. In a molding-machine a vertically-movable sprue and mechanism for engaging it in its upper or normal position, mechanism for releasing said engaging mechanism to allow the sprue to drop and a cushion to receive the blow of the descending sprue, substantially as described.

3. In a molding-machine a vertically-movable sprue,'mechanism for engaging the said sprue in its upper or normal position, mechanism for releasing the sprue from said engaging mechanism and allow it to drop, a plunger or piston carriedby the sprue and a dash-pot adapted to receive said plunger, substantially as described.

4. In a molding-machine the combination with a projection arranged to receive a sprue of a vertically-movable sprue havingits lower end recessed to fit said projection when in its llower position and a restricted orifice leading from said recess to allow the air to gradually escape rom said recess and thus pern ceac-i5 mit the sprue to settle against said projection, substantially as described.

5. In a molding-machine a vertically-movable sprue; mechanism for engaging said sprue in its upper position; mechanism to release the sprue and allow it to drop and vertically-reciprocating mechanism for moving the sprue-engaging mechanism down to engage the sprue and then to elevate it together with the sprue, substantially as described.

6. In a molding-machine, the combination with a vertically-movable pattern and its supporting mechanism, of a vertically-movable sprue adapted to drop down and rest on the pattern mechanism and to be carried up by the upward movement thereof, substantially as described.

7. Ina molding-machine, the combination with a vertically-movable pattern and its supporting mechanism, of a vertically-movable sprue adapted to drop down and rest on the pattern mechanism and to be carried up by the movement thereof, and mechanism disengaged from said sprue when in its lower position and adapted to engage the sprue when it is moved up by the pattern mechanism and carry it thence to its maximum height, substantially as described.

8. In a molding-machine a vertically-movable sprue provided with a series of notches and a spring-catch to en gage said notches and hold the sprue in its upper or normal position, substantially as described.

9. In a molding-machine a vertically-movable sprue provided with a series of notches, a spring-catch to engage said notches, a vertically-movable fitting carrying said catch and mechanism for moving said fitting vertically, substantially as described.

l0. In a molding-machine avertically-movable sprue provided with a series of notches, a spring-catch for engaging said notches, a vertically-movable fitting carrying the catch, a crank-shaft and a pitman connecting the crank-shaft and fitting to raise the sprues, substantially as described.

l1. In a molding-machine, the combination with the plunger, a fixed ring through which the plunger slides and one or more sprues sliding along the face of the plunger, of mechanism for rst stripping the sprues through the plunger and then stripping the plunger through the fixed ring, substantially as described.

12. In a molding-machine, the combination with one or more sprues adapted to enter the runner-box of the flask, of a plunger adapted also to enter said runner-box, said sprues sliding in recesses in the face of the plunger and mechanism for iirst stripping the sprues through the plunger and then withdrawing the plunger, substantially as described.

13. In a molding-machine the combination of a vertically-movable hollow plunger, of a sprue-fittin g workin g in said plunger and provided with arms extending through slots in IOO IOS

IIO

the face of the plunger and a sprue attached to each of the arms on the exterior of the plunger', substantially as described.

14. In a molding-machine, the combination with a plunger and one or more sprues, said plunger and sprues being vertically movable, of a crank-shaft carrying mechanism to engage the sprues, a crank-sleeve surrounding the shaft and carrying mechanism to engage the plunger and stop mechanism between the crank-shaft and crank-sleeve whereby a partial revolution of the shaft withdraws the sprues and the continued revolution thereof withdraws the plunger, substantially as described.

15. In a molding-machine, a plunger adapted to enter the runner-box and one or more sprues, the lower end of which projects into the runner-box below the end of the plunger, the surface of said sprues bearin g against the surface of the plunger and the end of the plunger adjacent to the sprues being tapered whereby a tapered surface is formed in the mold adjacent to the sprue-hole, substantially as described.

1G. In a molding-machine a vertically-movable sprue and a spring-catch for holding it in its upper position, one of said parts being provided with a series of engaging surfaces whereby the sprue can be engaged at variable heights, substantially as described.

17. In a molding-machine the combination with the vertically-movable frame and vertically-movable pattern mechanism of a Vertically-movable sprue adapted to drop down and rest on the pattern mechanism and to be carried up by the` movement thereof, mechanism disengaged from said sprue when in its lower position and adapted to engage the sprue when it is moved up by the pattern mechanism and carry it to its maximum height the engaging surfaces between the sprue and its engaging mechanism being in vertical series whereby the sprue may be engaged at variable height-s, substantially as described.

18. In a molding-machine the combination of the plunger and mechanism for engaging it in its upper position, said plunger adapted to drop and enter the runner-boX`, one or more sprues; mechanism for engagmg the latter in their upper position and tripping mechan...

ism connected with both the plunger and sprue-engaging mechanism, the engagement between said tripping mechanism, and the plunger-engaging mechanism being slotted whereby a movement of the tripping mechanism will first strip the sprues and then the plunger, substantially as described.

19. In a molding-machine, a sprue, mechanism for engaging it in its upper position, said sprue adapted when released to drop down andaspring bearing on said sprue when engaged in its upper position and adapted to start said sprue quickly on its descent when released, substantially as described.

20. In a molding-machine the combination with a pressure plate through which the sprues movably pass, of a vertically-movable frame having a series of sprues; mechanism on the frame for engaging said sprues mechanism for releasing said engaging mechanism to allow the sprues to drop, said sprues carried upward by the upward movement of the frame, substantially as described.

2l. In a molding-machine the combination with a vertically-movable frame, of a series of detachable sprues; mechanism on the frame for engaging each sprue independently of the other and holding itin its upper position, adj ustable mechanism for releasing each sprue at the time desired and allow it to drop; mechanism for moving the frame down to engage the sprues, said sprues carried up by the upward movement of the frame, substantially as described.

22. In a molding-machine the combination with a vertically-movable frame of aseries of sprues carried thereby and a spring-catch for each sprue carried by the frame, each of said catches having a series of engaging surfaces to engage the sprue substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY C. COOPER.

Witnesses:

GERTRUDE HEIDELBERGER, Jos. H. MILANs. 

